Tszyu Title Fight ‘Close to Being Finalized’

Negotiations for a WBA middleweight world title fight between the defending champion, Erislandy Lara (32-3-3, 19 KOs), and challenger, Tim Tszyu (28-3, 18 KOs), are “close to being finalized.”

That’s according to No Limit Boxing CEO and founder, George Rose, who has held advanced talks between his fighter, the former super welterweight champion Tszyu, and the Premier Boxing Champions boxer, Lara.

Tszyu made his 160-pound debut on July 26, beating Errol Spence Jr. by unanimous decision in Sydney. He was previously the WBO super welterweight champion but lost the title by split decision to Sebastian Fundora on March 30, 2024.

A two-division champion, Cuban veteran Lara won the WBA title at middleweight with a first-round knockout win over Thomas LaManna on May 1, 2021, and has scored finishes over Gary O’Sullivan in 2022, and Michael Zerafa and Danny Garcia in 2024. His last WBA title defense came on December 6, 2025, when he beat Johan Gonzalez by unanimous decision.

If the Lara negotiations collapse, Tszyu could reportedly turn to a fight with the former undisputed super welterweight champion, Jermell Charlo, instead.